Confused about results

[alices588]

I am a single mother who just started dating as I lost my husband some years ago. I took all the STD tests to include HSV I/II. I was cleared. Several weeks later I began seeing a friend and although we have been using condoms, there was the one time we didn't. It's like a horrible after school special. So, after our incident I decided to go back and get the tests again three weeks later. However, he has had chronic Mono for a few years which I was told can affect the IGM.  This morning my doctor called with the results of my HSV I/II IGM (2.1 positive) and IGG (0.0). My doctor said that she can't conclude whether or not I have genital herepes because I have not had an outbreak and the IGG is negative. I did have a yeast infection which was treated with Diflucan. She says that I need to come back in a month or two. I am very upset with myself for making such a costly mistake. Not only am I a single mother but, I am the only surviving parent for my son. I am usure of whether or not I have genital herpes. My partner is willing to be tested to quell my fears but, was tested for everything since his gall bladder operation this July.  He had protected sex with one partner since then but, admits to oral sex.  I feel fortunate that he is being cooperative. Do you have any input into these results or can you explain this further to me???

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I think the costly mistake you made was getting an IgM herpes antibody test.  They should never be used to try to diagnose herpes in the adult.  They are very frequently false positive.  

I would advise that your partner get a type specific IgG antibody test for HSV 1 and 2.  If he is negative, you can stop worrying and quit testing.  If he is positive, then you would want to retest in three months.  I doubt that when you have gall bladder surgery, they test you for genital herpes.  

And if you happen to have herpes, you will be among the one in 6 in the US who has HSV 2.  It will not shorten your life and place you children in any jeopardy of not having their mom.  

Let me know what else I can do to help.

Terri

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

The number going down also has no significance because the whole test has such big problems.  I don't think you had a mono test done, no evidence for that in what you have entered here, sounds like an IgM and IgG.  The IgG may have been type specific.  Get a copy of the results, and post them here for me to evaluated, OK?  I can make better sense of them then.  

I can't tell you why the IgM test is moving around, but tests almost always have a value vs. zero as they are being compared to a control sample which does have a value, not zero.

Terri

[Sara9185]

no, don't think like that, your results are absolutely fine. you just need to keep calm and think positive...i would suggest you to follow some mind relaxing programs as it would help you to keep track of your life.

[alices588]

Terri,
Well, I got the second test results back (also a combo/the same one) and the IGM number went down to 1.27.  However, I am just going to an STD clinic to get the select test you spoke of.  I know how you feel about the IGM combo test but, I would still like your take on the number going down.  I feel like it might have been the exposure to mono as I haven't had any outbreaks.  

[alices588]

How long should I wait before I get these tests run again???  The HSV I/II IGM/IGG are the only ones my doctor offers.  Is is possible that his Mono is responsible for the IGM number as I have had this test before and there was no reaction on the IGM or IGG before???  Could you give me some insight into that IGM number never giving a reading before as opposed to now, because the information she gave was that the IGM means I was recently exposed to genital herpes.  I didn't mean to sound so grave about the possibility of me having this but, this among other things was the reason I was scared to start over again after the death of my husband.  This will make it much harder for me to find someone to start over with let alone have another child with.  But, I guess it's not the end of the world.  Just scary.  Thank you Terri.